News from the SAMS Prayer line

28th February 2008
Argentina, Paraguay, PRAY

Please continue to uphold the Venables family: Bishop Greg arrives on Friday to join Sylvia and mourners at the funeral of her mother that day. Greg and Sylvia will then spend most of March in the UK on a pre-planned visit.

This Friday the Pastoral Committee of the Diocese of Northern Argentina holds an important meeting in La Caldera, near Salta. They seek the way forward to break the stagnation in the diocese in recent years. Pray that God will direct the pastors and lay leaders and renew their vision and motivation.

Archdeacon Hugo Vergara will lead this meeting. Pray for him and his wife Techy who have been suffering cardiovascular problems caused by stress.

Also on Friday the team from the FEISA Teacher Training College make their second training visit to Yatnata in the Paraguayan Chaco helping mothers set up a nursery for the youngest children. Pray for their travel and for the impact of this two-day visit.

Finally, a reminder that the BBC2 programme ‘Tropic of Capricorn’ this Sunday at 8pm includes a visit to the Argentine Chaco with a short feature on the Wichi people and deforestation.

New Term in Paraguay

21st February 2008
Paraguay, PRAY

The new academic year begins in Paraguay.

St. Andrew's SchoolToday in Asunción, Paraguay, Patrick Butler will speak at the opening service of St. Andrew’s School; please pray for Patrick and the challenge and encouragement of his message for students and staff as they embark on this new journey.

FEISA, the Early Years Teacher Training College in Asunción, is also back in action and this weekend a team will make the first 2008 visit to the indigenous community of Yatnata to start a training programme with the mothers to enable them to set up their own nursery for the youngest children. Please pray for the FEISA team as they prepare the training and for the right mothers to attend and be committed to the programme.

Also in the Paraguayan Chaco this weekend a youth conference is being held under the leadership of Pastor Elvio. A group of 30 young people accompanied by 10 adults will share with other young people and leaders in El Estribo community. Called “Sowing well for good results”, the conference will challenge young people to develop daily Bible reading habits.

Help for Beryl Baker

11th February 2008
Mission Partners, Paraguay, PRAY, Volunteers

Ruth PitmanRuth Pitman flies to Paraguay today to spend three weeks assisting Beryl Baker in her comprehensive but lonely medical ministry to needy people in the Chaco. Pray for Ruth’s adjustment and that she will bring great encouragement to Beryl.

Northern Argentina youth camp

11th February 2008
Argentina, PRAY

Last month we asked prayer for the diocesan youth camp in Northern Argentina. We’ve now heard that God touched many hearts and ten youngsters accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour. Thank you for your prayers! The impact has been beyond expectation; let’s praise God for his might and goodness and let’s also pray for the follow-up in the local churches.

Friday Night Live 2008

2nd February 2008
Events, Friday Night Live, Latin Partners, Mission Partners, PRAY, SAMS Ireland, UK-Ireland, Volunteers

Friday Night LiveFour hundred and forty people squeezed into the main hall in the Jethro Centre for Friday Night Live; it was standing room only by 7:30pm. Highlights of the evening included a reunion between Edmeia Williams from Brazil and Archbishop Robin Eames. In 1998 Lord Eames visited Edmeia in the Dona Marta favela of Rio de Janerio.

Retired Bishop of Paraguay, John Ellison and his wife Judy, shared about their 30 years of work in South America. Dr Dickie Barr reported on a successful Love for Life trip, and the Trews emotionally shared how the family moved from Paraguay back to Northern Ireland.

Friday Night LiveThe dynamic evangelist and church leader from Chile, Alf Cooper, gave the keynote address on the need to share the gospel, and training all members of the church to be a witness for Christ. He also introduced Samuel Lago who is spending a year in All Saints Parish in Belfast.

Titch and Cecilia reported on the excellent work carried out by SAMS volunteers in Salta and welcomed Pamela who is spending a year in Annaghmore Parish.

Bishop Ken Clarke finished the evening by praying for all those who will be going on mission over the next year, including the nationals from South America working in Northern Ireland.

It was another exciting night, encouraging to see so much interest in the work of mission in South America, Spain and Portugal. Thank you to all who helped out, and for everyone who came on such a wintry night.

We’d love to hear your thoughts, leave a comment at the form at the bottom of this page.

Carnaval in Recife

31st January 2008
Brazil, PRAY

Carnaval begins on Saturday and in Recife, Brazil, Josias de Souza and a team led by Saulo from Espirito Santo church will be doing evangelism alongside Youth with a Mission (YWAM). Pray for them and against the powers of darkness that Carnaval can unleash. And nearby in Olinda three churches are planning to take a group of vulnerable people to the Living Waters Institute (formerly Emanuel Farm) for a time away from Carnaval and its influence.

1 … 85 86 87 88 89